I represent the first generation whom, when we were born, the television was now a permanent fixture in our homes. When I was born people had breakfast with Barbara Walters, dinner with Walter Cronkite, and slept with Johnny Carson.
Read the full "Pre-ramble"

Thursday, July 31, 2008

From Broadcasting & CableThe Third Circuit Court of Appeals threw out the fine against CBS stations for their airing of the Janet Jackson Super Bowl reveal.That was the incident that prompted the Federal Communications Commission's crackdown on broadcast content, under pressure from Congress.The court concluded that the FCC was arbitrary and capricious in changing a decades-old policy of not holding fleeting nudity indecent.It also concluded that the commission could not hold broadcasters to strict liability, which means that they could not be held "vicariously liable" for actions they did not take on their own. That means that stations could not be liable for an action they could not foresee.Read the Full Story

PTC Condemns Court Decision Overturning Super Bowl Striptease Indecency Fine The Parents Television Council responded to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that threw out the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) fine given to CBS for airing Janet Jackson's breast during the 2004 Super Bowl, which shocked millions of unsuspecting families and children. The PTC and its 1.3 million members led the charge to clean up the airwaves by calling on the FCC to levy a hefty fine against CBS and its affiliates for violating the federal indecency law over this so-called "wardrobe malfunction," and the FCC rightly levied a fine. "Once again, a three-judge panel has hijacked the will of the American people -- not to mention the intent of the Congress acting on behalf of the public interest - when it comes to indecent content on the public airwaves. While we are not surprised that the legal venue hand-picked by CBS would rule in favor of the network, the court's opinion goes beyond judicial activism; it borders on judicial stupidity," said Tim Winter, president of the PTC, which filed an amicus brief in the case. "If a striptease during the Super Bowl in front of 90 million people -- including millions of children -- doesn't fit the parameters of broadcast indecency, then what does? If the Court thinks that the event wasn't shocking enough, even though it was the single largest news story for weeks when the nation was at war, then what is shocking enough?" ► Read More

I will now be short, sweet and to the point. IT IS TIME TO MOVE ON. We have given to much time and ink to one breast. People are loosing their houses. Gas is almost $5.00 a gallon. We are still fighting two wars and we will be selecting a new Commander and Chief in less than 100 days. IT IS TIME TO MOVE ON. So lets take one last look at the breast and then never speak of it again.

To quote William Shatner on SNL, "GET A LIFE, will you people? I mean, for crying out loud, it's just a TV show!"

Lorraine Bracco as Dr. Jennifer Melfi, "The Sopranos," HBO, Chase Films and Brad Grey Television in association with HBO Entertainment

SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A MINISERIES OR MOVIEGreta Scacchi as Nola Johns, "Broken Trail," AMC, Once Upon a Time Films in association with Butcher’s Run FilmsAnna Paquin as Elaine Goodale, "Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee," HBO, Wolf Film/Traveler’s Rest Film in association with HBO FilmsSamantha Morton as Myra Hindley, "Longford," HBO, A Granada Production in association with Channel 4 and HBO FilmsJudy Davis as Joan McAllister, "The Starter Wife," USA, Hay Pop Pty Limited in association with McGibbon/Parriott Productions and 3 Arts Entertainment, for NBC Universal Television StudioToni Collette as Kathy Graham, "Tsunami, The Aftermath," HBO, A Kudos Film and Television Production in association with the BBC and HBO Films

GUEST ACTOR IN A COMEDYMartin Landau as Bob Ryan, "Entourage," HBO, Leverage and Closest to the Hole Productions in association with HBO EntertainmentSir Ian McKellen as Himself, "Extras, HBO, BBC and HBO EntertainmentStanley Tucci as David Ruskin, "Monk, "USA, NBC Universal Television Studio in association with Mandeville Films and TouchstoneGiovanni Ribisi as Ralph Mariano, "My Name Is Earl," NBC, Amigos de Garcia Production in association with 20th Century Fox TelevisionBeau Bridges as Carl Hickey, "My Name is Earl," NBC, Amigos de Garcia Production in association with 20th Century Fox Television

DIRECTING FOR A MINISERIES, MOVIE OR DRAMATIC SPECIALWalter Hill, "Broken Trail: Part 1 & Part 2, AMC, Once Upon a Time Films in association with Butcher’s Run FilmsYves Simoneau, "Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee, HBO, Wolf Film/Traveler’s Rest Film in association with HBO FilmsSusanna White, "Jane Eyre (Masterpiece Theatre), PBS, A BBC/WGBH Boston Co-ProductionPhilip Martin, "Prime Suspect: The Final Act (Masterpiece Theatre), PBS, ITV Productions and WGBH Boston co-productionBharat Nalluri, "Tsunami, The Aftermath: Part 1 & Part 2, HBO, A Kudos Film and Television Production in association with the BBC and HBO Films

VARIETY, MUSIC OR COMEDY SPECIAL"The Comedy Central Roast of William Shatner," Comedy Central, Tenth Planet in association with Comedy Central"The Kennedy Center Honors: A National Celebration Of The Performing Arts," CBS, A George Stevens, Jr. Presentation for Kennedy Center Television Productions"Lewis Black: Red, White & Screwed," HBO, Rickmill Productions in association with HBO Entertainment"Tony Bennett: An American Classic," NBC, RPM TV Productions, Inc."A Tribute To James Taylor (Great Performances)," PBS, A Production of Warner Music Group in association with Thirteen/WNET New York"Wanda Sykes: Sick And Tired," HBO, A Sykes Entertainment / Music Link Productions and Images Entertainment in association with HBO Entertainment

Thursday, July 03, 2008

When I was talking to Dave White on his radio show, Talking Television With Dave White, we discussed how I have written a large amount of obituaries lately. Sadly, once again I'm honoring a true pioneer who has left us way too soon and at a time when we still need him.Donna and I were visiting my brother and my two nephews in Chicago. I wanted to get a picture or the Bob Newhart statue at Navy Pier (See Hi Bob). Over lunch at Bubba Gump's the older generation had to explain to the younger who Bob Newhart is. We stayed on the subject of comedy and comedians. The younger of the nephews (Alex age 16) is a big fan of political satire. We discussed his favorite comedians Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert and Lewis Black. I was telling him about the comedians who inspired his favorites. Obviously the conversation could not go too far without mentioning George Carlin.

I told him that George Carlin is one of the greatest comedians in American history. I told him about George Carlin's comedy routine on the "Seven Dirty Words You Can Never Say on Television".

This routine appeared on his Class Clown album. George Carlin was arrested on July 21, 1972 at Milwaukee's Summerfest and charged with violating obscenity laws after performing this routine. The case was dismissed in December of that year; the judge declared that the language was indecent, but Carlin had the freedom to say it as long as he caused no disturbance. I told my nephew that the classic routine is an excellent example of the power of comedy. Radio station WBAI (a Pacifica Radio Station in New York City) played similar routine, "Filthy Words," from George Carlin's Occupation: Foole album over the air. The broadcast was then brought to the attention of the FCC. Pacifica received a citation from the FCC, which sought to fine Pacifica for allegedly violating FCC regulations which prohibited broadcasting "obscene" material. The U.S. Supreme Court upheld the FCC action, by a vote of 5 to 4, ruling that the routine was "indecent but not obscene," and the FCC had authority to prohibit such broadcasts during hours when children were likely to be among the audience. FCC v. Pacifica Foundation , 438 U.S. 726 (1978).

The following morning I was shocked to learn that George Carlin had died. Before leaving Chicago I stopped by a Borders and bought the younger Figueroa a CD of George Carlin's Class Clown and Parental Advisory: Explicit Lyrics. Since then we have had a couple of conversations on George Carlin and he even bought a third CD. We talked about Carlin's influence on his favorite comedians, his love of words, his way of pointing out politicians and the news media manipulates the language to change their impact. I was so touched that my young nephew is now enjoying one of my favorite comedians.

Mr. Carlin’s body of work will still be relevant to a new generation. A true testament to his talents. Whenever we loose someone of prominence there are those who will ask, "Why?" I think it is because the time has come for us to activate our own Inner-Carlin. We examine our vocabulary, analyze what we hear from our leaders, point out the absurdities in life and not settle for being main stream.

To quote George Carlin, "I think it's the duty of the comedian to find out where the line is drawn and cross it deliberately".

About Us

TONY FIGUEROA is a standup comedian, writer, actor and storyteller based in Los Angeles. In his spare time Tony can be found story telling at the Story Salon in North Hollywood (Tony is also one of the producers) and of course watching TV. Tony is also a contributor to TV CONFIDENTIAL.
DONNA ALLEN-FIGUEROA always knew that she wanted to act. Donna’s professional credits include principle roles on the soaps DAYS OF OUR LIVES and GENERAL HOSPITAL. She guest starred with Robert Guillaume on ROBERT GUILLAUME SHOW. Donna also lends her voice to many animated characters, and has appeared in several television commercials. Theater credits include several LA productions (including readers and Radio Theater), and a season with Chicago’s famed Free Street Theater. Donna is a chronic shopper always in search of the ultimate bargain.